This past weekend became more of the former for me. My Uncle, a US Army veteran, recently passed, so this holiday has been in celebration of him and the others who have served and protected us.
When I think of my uncle and the other leaders of the US Army, I immediately begin to think of their dedication and relentless pursuit of living their values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. A soldier in the US Army strives to live these every day, but how many of us hold ourselves and our teams to such high standards and values or employ an intentional effort each day to live them? Better question, how many of your competitors do? The answer: very few; and what’s more is that even fewer do it well.
One thing I believe you will agree with me is that the US Army’s values would serve us well as business leaders. As their website states, “Soldiers learn these values in detail during Basic Combat Training, from then on they live them every day in everything they do — whether they’re on the job or off.” It is important that we, as leaders, are consistently stressing the importance of living our values and behaviors every day, and that we do so with PASSION.
The definition of passion is “an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction.” I am confident you all know the definition of passion, but I just want emphasize that PASSION is exactly what your team must feel when it comes to living your vision and behaviors. And, if you can live into your vision and values with PASSION, it will become contagious!
It is important that the organization not only feels, hears, and sees your PASSION, but that you are consistent with your approach. Once you get clear on your vision, the next step is to develop the values and behaviors that will lead to your goals.
So, why are Values so important?
If you are intentional about getting your culture right and living into your vision and values, then the business side of things will follow. Just as the US Army encourages its soldiers to “defy expectations,” I encourage you to do the same – take some time this week to reflect on what Memorial Day really means to you, and what that means for you as a business leader, your team, and the growth of your organization.
Frank Belen is a Principal for entreQuest. He helps to develop and grow business and C-level leadership and assists small to medium sized businesses Grow Regardless.
